Keio University

This course provides an opportunity to observe and analyze conduct and/or language usage in contemporary Japanese society. The course introduces the basics of qualitative research methods and provides an opportunity to utilize the methods through a group research project investigating socio-cultural aspects of Japan identified in a student's daily life.

In the 1950s, Noam Chomsky revolutionized the study of linguistics by treating language as something produced by the human brain. From this change in perspective, the study of language became an indirect way of studying the human mind. In addition to opening new ways to approach the subject, this change also built a foundation for doing linguistics as a science. Grammar is seen not as a known set of rules that people need to study to learn but rather as the rules that result from the human mind trying to make sense of the language it is exposed to. This course looks at three sub-areas of linguistics from this perspective: morphology (the study of word structure), phonetics (the study of the physical sounds of language), and phonology (the study of the structure of sounds in language).

This course is designed for students at the advanced levels to acquire comprehensive Japanese language proficiency. The purpose of the course is to increase student knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and kanji and to improve their reading and writing ability through close-reading of textbooks. In addition, students will develop speech techniques necessary to participate in discussions and to explain content that they have understood.

This course addresses the meaning, expression, material, and technique of Japanese visual art masterpieces.  It teaches the skills to appreciate fundamental and diverse characteristics of Japanese visual art from the ancient times to the contemporary.

This course introduces learners to various socio-cultural issues and debates impacting schools, universities, and education systems in Asia-Pacific societies. Using case studies, the course aims to provide:

- Debate and discussion of the cultural and philosophical ideas that have shaped education in East Asia.
- An exploration of debates about the purposes of formal schooling, and the role of shadow education (cram schools/private tutoring) in various Asia-Pacific contexts.
- Consideration of how education is used as a political tool to shape national identities through moral, civic, and history curricula.
- An exploration of the tensions between nationalism, internationalization of education and globalization in Asia-Pacific contexts.
- Comparison of cultural approaches to early childhood education in Eastern and Western cultures.
- Observation of the developments in higher education in the region, including participation rates, rising research outputs, regional collaboration, and the possibilities for study abroad to contribute to peace and stability among East Asian countries.
- Consideration of issues of diversity and inclusion with regard to ethnic, gender and sexual minorities in Asia-Pacific contexts.

Inviting leading poets, novelists, and other guests who have contributed to the literary magazine Mita Bungaku, participants will learn how to create literary works in a workshop format. Poet Hiroyuki Kasai, novelist Anna Ogino, and critic writer Maiko Kodaira will be featured guest speakers. This course welcomes future writers as well as those interested in literary creation. The class is considering applying for newcomer awards and submitting to literary magazines. The order of the workshops may differ from the schedule listed, depending on the interval between creative submissions and instructor discretion.

This course is aimed at students interested in starting their own business who want to learn different aspects of business management. It is also suited to those involved in corporate entrepreneurship or in improving competitive positioning and transforming corporations towards value-creation. The course instructs on the essential skills needed to start and manage a successful new business venture.
 

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Evaluate the necessary qualities and characteristics of a successful entrepreneurial profile.
- Recognize and determine the steps necessary to open and operate a small business enterprise.
- Identify the marketing, financial, leadership and other competencies needed by an entrepreneur.
- Use information, projections, logic and critical thinking to recognize an opportunity and solve small business problems in a multicultural, ethical and legal environment.
- Develop and present a business plan for a business in Japan or another country.

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, class discussions, and presentations.

This course examines the psychology of experiencing cultural difference and investigates the cultural differences between Japan and other countries. Culture affects us at the level of the unconscious mind and understanding cultural difference requires the process of deep culture learning. The class has two parts, 1) the psychology of deep culture, and 2) analyzing cultural difference. The goal of this course is to gain a deeper understanding of how culture shapes our minds as well as a deeper understanding of Japan and other cultural communities.

This seminar course focuses on globalization and the development of education, especially the effect that globalization and development have on societies and education systems in Asia. The course explores the roles and activities of agencies such as the UN, the World Bank, JICA, and grassroots NGOs as well as their impact on education in the developed and developing countries of East and Southeast Asia.

This course is designed for students who are able to write around 30 basic kanji characters to study around 80 kanji characters and to practice reading and writing sentences using these characters.
The course is designed for students who have already learned approximately 30 elementary kanji.
The aim of this course is to aid students in reading and writing a further 80 elementary kanji (Lesson 7-12 of the the textbook, Elementary Japanese for Academic Purposes Vol.1), as well as associated vocabulary and expressions.